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need to pass a Bill stating possible exemptions. A little clear thinking by the police authorities (who have surely enough serious work to do without hunting for such merely technical offenders), a little more courage on the part of the magistrates to deal justice with what we call common- sense, and a little more clear thinking by the legislators, whose ordinances should be drafted so as to need less interpretation- just the little more and how much it is- and life in this community would become far less complex than it seems to be at present.
THE NEW HARBOUR OFFICE.
OPENED BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR.
The new Harbour Office, constructed near the Canton steamer wharf. was formally opened on July 16th by H.E. the Governor.
Perhaps nothing illustrates the growth and progress of Hongkong more than the changes which have taken place with regard to the harbour offices. The first one stood on the site occupied by the City Hall, and as the shipping interests of the Colony demanded greater accommodation, what is now the old building was erected on the harbour front on Praya East. In course of years it also became unsuit- ed for the work it had to do. Its harbour view was shut off by the buildings put up on the reclaimed land in front, while the accom-
nodation for the increased staff became insufficient. About three years ago the erection of the new office was commenced. At is three storeys in height, covers much the same ground as the old office in Des Voeux Road, and is built of granite and brick, the upper storeys being plastered. A watch tower and a flagstaff are conspicuous features. As the accommodation is detailed in His Excellency's spech it is only necessary to add that fireproof record rooms are placed on the ground and first doors.
In honour of the occasion flags decorated the building, while the approach was laid with red cloth. Among those present at the ceremony were Commodore Williams, the Hon. Captain Barnes-Lawrence (Harbour Master), the Hon. Ar. T. Sercombe Smith (Colonial Secretary, the Hon. Mr. W. Chatham (Director of Public Works), the Hon. Mr. E A. Hewett, Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, Res. C. H. Hickling, Capta n Clark, Captain Milroy, Messrs. H. G. C. Fisher. Mr. E. Jones (Assistant Harbour Master), J. Macdonald
(Marine Surveyor), W. A. Crake, W. Russell, Chan Ah Tong, (contractor), J. T. Longstaff, Graut Smith M. M Ivor, E. J. Meugeus, and others.
his Excellency, who was accompanied by his A.D.C.s, Captain Smith and Captain Colman, was received by the Harbour Master and escorted to the Marine Court, where the ceremony took place.
|
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
July 23, 1906. regard to the work of the office it is undoubtedly | anxious to get to your old one, so I will not strenuous at times, but the fact that we hive detain you any longer except to echo the hops. behind us the recognition to which I have expressed by Captain Barnes-Lawrence that already a'luded and also the fact which I the business of the department and consequently would like to mention publicly of the relation the business of the port will continue to increase ship between the officials and the heads of these to the sime extent and even to a greater great shipping firms represented in Hongkong. extent in the new building than it did in the has always been of such a character as to help old. I now, on the 16th day of July, 196 and encourage as in the work we have to do formally declare this offics to be open for the * (applause). With respect to our records, transaction of public ba-iness (applause). we have the proud boast that in the office we have just left we have issued statistics that cou- stituted records in respect of the amount of tonnage of ships entering and clearing this entrepôt of Hongkong. In conclusion, I would express the fervent hope that in our new office we shall continue to maintain that supremacy we have established and whose lustre may ba shed in the welfare of the premises. I will now ask you to kindly start us on our new career of usefulness and declare the premises open for public business (applause).
His EXCELLENCY said-It was suggested to me that it might be appropriate if some formal ceremony marked the transference of the harbour office from its former headquarters to this new building, so I have come down to give you a few facts with regard to this building and then formally declare it to be open for public business. The building owes its origin to a committee which sat in the time of Sir William Robinson, some ten years ago, to investigate the condition of the public offices of that time. It was proposed by that committee that the new harbour office should be erected in front of the old site. That proposal Was eventually abandoned in favour of the present site and in 1901 the contract for the foundation was given out. It was not until a year before I arrival in the Colony that the superstructure was actually put in hand. The cost of the building|| has been some £5,000, or $15 1910. It has been carried out under the careful suprision of Mr. Fisher, executive engineer, who has had at different times to assist bim Messrs. Wright and Little, assistant engineers. The plan was originally drawn out in consultation with Cap- tain Barnes-Lawrence's predecessor, Captain Rumsey. The structure contains offices for the harbour master, assistant harbour master, marine surveyors, and the boarding officers. It also contains correspondenes office, entry and clearance office, import and export offics, and a Junt office. Then there is the Marine Court, in which we are now assembled, and there is also a room for the examination of captains and mates' certificates. There is a spare room, and there are quarters for the senior boarding officers, rooms for twenty-six boatmen, whom it
is
is in
necessary should live oa the premises There is a somewhat important addition to that accommodation in the shape of a watch-tower from which it will be possible to observe every thing going ou in the harbour. It was not possible to do so in the old office, which was a very distinct disadvantare. The elevation of the building was designed by Mr. Fisher. and I have hear it said that its features are not commensurate with the importance of the work The HARBOUR MASTER said - Your Excel- that will be carried out in it, but I do not think Jency and Gentlemen. I would like to express it is necessary that oue should see from the face on behalf of the Harbour Office department and of the building the amount of work that is to be myself the extreme gratification that His done in it. I prefer a building not to be tog Excellency has seen his way to come down and pretentious, and I think this building, thanks
Mr. Fisher, are more par- to open the new premises. We
very good taste ticularly glad in this respect because he has | (applause). There is one part of it which taken the greatest interest in the work, which
I think I shall take care is not repeated was commenced before he arrived in the Colony, in any public building that is erected while and we shall regard it with the greatest I remain in the Colony. I allude to the gratitude that he has put that house in order. fact that the upper storeys are plastered When His Excellency arrived in the Colony Plaster is really an imitation of stone and the life blood of the harbour office was gradually imitation is a sham, false in art, as it is id ebbing away. The older officials were being building. We have got in the Colony here pensioned off and there was difficulty in getting plenty building material in the shape of natural men to come forward to enlist in the services of granite and when we cannot afford to use that the barbour office on account of the stagnation for building I think we should keep to the in promotion and the difficulties in connection natural surface of the bricks and see exactly with salaries. His Excellency made very care- what the building is made of. ful personal investigations and satisfied himself dwell further on this point. I congratulate that something was required and the result was Captain Barnes-Lawrence on the fact that the that the older officials (of whom two, who change from the former office to this one is have served for 34 and 36 years respectively, made in his time. It is, I know, cause for Messrs. Botelho and Britte, still remain with congratulation, as anything which helps the us) have been recognised. The grading business of the mercantile, community gives system was introduced and the department pleasure to
present harbour master was put into a position in which I do not hesi (applause). I know that Captain Barnes late to say it is now able to fulfil the duties of Lawrence is anxious to commence the work in an office of importance to the Colony. With his new premises and I think you are very
our
But I need not
On the call of the Harbour Master, three hearty cheers were given for His Excellency. After this the company inspected the new building and dispersed.
THE HO MIU LING HOSPITAL.
OPENED BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR.
The ceremony of opening the Ho Min Liug Hospital, performed by His Excellency the Governor on the 21st July, was witnessed by alarge number of ladies and gentlemen. The building was decorated with flags in honour of
the event.
The Ho Miu Ling Hospital is built on Inland Lot No. 1,709, off Bouhum Road, and west of Nethersole Hospital. The site is situated immediately to the east of Breezy Point, is an ideal one for purposes of a hospital. unl was gireu to the trustees by the Government. The lot has wide roads on north and south sides, aud Crown, land adjoins on east and west, so that it is thoroughly isolated and The buildings were erectel open on a'l xides, at the expense of Mrs. Wu Ting-fang, sister of Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, C.M.G., sud have been so ventilation is designed that direct natural o'tain into and through all the wards, and the requirements of light and air set forth in most recent ordinances have been exceeded.
The site has been formed by building large stone retaining walls on the north and east sides and then necessary filling in was made to bring up to present levels. The entrance from the road is by an iron gite at the highest portion of the site, and a few ft below the level of the ground storey. The main buildings have wide verandahs along the whole of the froat on each storey, upon which convalescent patients may bask in good weather, and from which verandahs views of the whole harbour The ground and Kowloon may be obtained. for is taken up by two large gpapal war is opeuing out of the central fancy tiled hall. These wards are well lighted and ventilated and accommodation is provided in the two wards for 24 bads. Centre heating arrange- ments, conforming to the latest approvd ideas, have been made in eich ward. There are not any ceilings, and consequently rits and vermin cannot make their homes between floors and cilings, to the detriment of the well-being of the occupants of the hospital. Bath
and lavatories
ara situated at the end of the wards but separated from sime by thick walls. An easy stair leads to the first floor, which is divided into six private wards, wardmaster's room. doctors' room, operating room and three rooms for dressers and clerks. The roof is open without a ceiling, but the underside of purlias are lined to present fall of dust from the tiles: extra height is thus obtained and consequently coolness for the ward. The operating room has a skylight in addition to large windows to the verandah, and has a tiled flour, adequate water supply, and up to date fittings. Tus operating table has be in selected by Dr. Gibson, M.D., and was presented to the hospital by the architect. The first floor wards have similar ba u and lavatory arrangements as to ground floor, and special external sanitary steps communicate to these conveniences from the ground level
rooms
All the floors of the wards are of hardwood and are beeswaxed. To Inva.
tories and bath rooms farro concrete rendered
floors have been used. From the main stairs
landing a bridge leads across a wile open space to the students' room, and from the students' room access is obtained to the flat ro ›f over part of the servants quarters. forming a terrace for use of the students. At the rear of the ground floor, and separated from same by a wide open space are the laundry, servants' room, mortuiry, kitchen (with large furnaces and boilers and iron lined ceiling), and a room which may be used for disinfecting, etc. Standing alone ou
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